Ukraine premier dismisses huge street protests

Ukraine's Moscow-backed premier Viktor Yanukovich, at the centre of a political crisis over a disputed presidential poll, has said that he saw no reason for opposition street demonstrations.

Speaking at a government meeting, Yanukovich, who appears poised to be declared winner of Sunday's run-off vote, said: "Today there are no grounds for people coming out on the streets."

Shrugging off the huge rallies in the centre of Kiev, he said: "We (ordinary people) have all we need to be able to live normally. Nothing extraordinary is taking place."

Thousands of demonstrators pressing to install liberal challenger Viktor Yushchenko as president after the disputed election launched fresh street rallies in the capital for the third day on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, up to 200,000 people brought central Kiev to a halt and thousands protested in other cities.

Protesters who brought central Kiev to a halt in support of Yushchenko confronted riot police by the president's offices on Tuesday night after a day of high drama which saw their candidate proclaim himself president.

The election, according to incomplete official results, appeared to hand victory to pro-Moscow candidate Viktor Yanukovich over challenger Yuschenko.

Yanukovich sees future prosperity in closer ties with Russia. Yushchenko favours gradual integration with Western Europe, but recognises Russia as a "strategic partner".

The United States and the European Union have called for a review of the polls.

Last night a key question about the election remained unanswered - was Yushchenko poisoned by his hardline foes?

The photograph above may provide a clue. As recently as July, Yushchenko, 50, was handsome and boyish with smooth skin. In July, he was handsome and boyish, but now he has lost his youthful energy and his face is swollen with scars. He was treated for acute pancreatis and a damaged liver in September after being taken ill the day after dining with the Ukrainian secret services.